Around 100 Israeli settlers detained after attempting to cross into Syrian side of Mount Hermon

The Israeli military detained about 100 activists from the HaBashan Pioneers settler movement on Sunday after they crossed from the Israel-Syria buffer zone into the Syrian side of Mount Hermon. The group announced the detentions, claiming the IDF used "severe violence" and confiscated their phones, despite the activists' "complete passivity."

“

The IDF used "severe violence" to detain them and confiscated their phones, despite "complete passivity" from the members.

The HaBashan Pioneers stated their intention to establish an Israeli settlement in the area, asserting that "only settlement" would solidify Israeli control. The movement linked its actions to attempted attacks by Syrian terrorists against Israeli communities in the Golan Heights, including within the buffer zone. They warned of a "slow but consistent deterioration and erosion of Israeli control in these areas by the terrorists and the hostile population."

“

only settlement would cement Israeli control of the area.

Activists intentionally positioned themselves in a mountainous area to impede evacuation, emphasizing their desire to avoid violence. The group argued that without integrating civilian settlement into the military's presence, Israel risks losing control, similar to situations along the Lebanese border. They stressed the need for the "right-wing government to show our enemies that Israel intends to stay."

“

The events appear to be part of a slow but consistent deterioration and erosion of Israeli control in these areas by the terrorists and the hostile population in the area.

This is not the first such incident. In May, ten HaBashan members were detained for crossing the border, and in April, forty members were detained after traveling into Syria. The IDF has previously emphasized the dangers posed by the movement's actions to both soldiers and civilians.

“

If we do not integrate civilian settlement into the military grip, we may find ourselves in a situation similar to that along the Lebanese border. The right-wing government needs to show our enemies that Israel intends to stay.